Sings "Amen" at 90th Birthday

This was an appearance with the Albert MeNeil Jubilee singers at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California in1991 on Jester's 90th birthday.

[@harrisharris9790]

Love to hear this I play it over and over

[@ruthied.3219]

I have to hold back the tears as this man and my father were very dear friends and he and his family beloved friends of our family. A most remarkable man. I will always remember him with much love as he taught me the spirit of generosity and joy!

[@keilana6]

You were so blessed. 💖

[@ruthied.3219]

@@keilana6 Thank you Sue, for your kind words!

[@ruthied.3219]

@@keilana6 Thank you Sue!

[@ceb8253]

I've liked this song since I was a child never gets old

[@Buggy-su4oy]

Jester was quite a man...may he rest in peace...he was close to 100.

[@friedchickenicedtea]

I always thought he was just the funny church elder but now realize just how important Mr. Hairston was to gospel music.

[@gcuthrell1]

What a gift he was and is. We will never have a gift like him again !

[@loraross3598]

I was SO VERY LUCKY to be in the Festival Chorus at the Virginia Music Educators summer music camp in Massanetta Springs, Virginia in June 1972. Jester Hairston was the guest conductor of the Festival Chorus (mostly high school seniors). I was 17 years old and an alto. We had a whole week with this FANTASTIC MUSICIAN and GENTLEMAN!!! He told us some REALLY FUNNY stories of Hollywood and the actors he knew. (He also told us that he dubbed "Amen" in the movie "Lillies of the Field" since Sidney Poitier was not a singer.) "Amen" was the Festival Chorus' closing piece at the concert at the end of the week. Mr. Hairston sang the song as the chorus sang the back up Amens. As he sang, "But He rose on Easter," we all began to clap as Mr. Hairston and the chorus do in this video. As the song ended we were ALL CRYING TEARS OF JOY for having known and worked with SUCH A DEAR and TALENTED GENTLEMAN!!! That summer was MY MOST FAVORITE of the 3 summers I went to the music camp. Whenever I hear this song sung by Mr. Hairston, I CRY HAPPY TEARS at the WONDERFUL MEMORIES I have of him and that FABULOUS SUMMER!!! RIP DEAR Mr. Hairston. You'll be ALIVE in MY HEART as long as I live!!!

[@micahsquires5649]

One of the most beautiful hymns! It’s crazy to think he was also on the NBC show Amen.

[@hsimpson6581]

We all loved him

[@ruthied.3219]

He was so easy to love. Open hearted and knd. He saw so much growing up. Music was his gift to the world....I miss him❤

[@maiammyself5680]

This song was on my mind tonight and had to hear this

[@cindylake1626]

Amen

[@chrisholley2954]

Splendid ! That last AMEN so majestic

[@gregorychatman5316]

Rest in Paradise God bless your soul forever 🏆🙏🏿❤💛💙😇👊🏾👏🏿🙌🏿🎖

[@judyjohnson3486]

This was absolutely magical

[@jennifermckay8143]

I have to comment because I’m loooooooooooving this song!!!!!!!!! 😢😮🌹🙏🏾😱🥺😏

[@MrLife-jv5dz]

I cannot understand why people are so calm during this song...let us praise the lord! Shout hallelujah! This song is so wonderful!

[@PaulLadd1]

Mr.Hairston said many times the clapping shouldn’t start until the line, “But He rose on Easter.”

[@lundyconley2102]

I wish u all birthdays u cj have...and brother u still got it

[@jamesorsby7553]

He died in 2000 at 98.

[@dominiquecathey]

❤😢

[@kelvinanderson6527]

A true giant

[@danmacalpinbruce2555]

A true man of Jesus

[@muvhangisanomakhuvha2357]

Rest in peace jester hairston 1900-2000🕊️🕊️🕊️ you are musician.

[@moshe2495]

He literally resurrected these churches.

[@jarredtaylor8609]

Sing rolly

[@oldblackstock2499]

He wrote the Christmas song Mary's Boy Child.